Travelers warned as dangerous airplane sleeping position gains popularity

Air travel etiquette debate explodes as experts call for cleaner, more respectful dress Etiquette expert Alison Cheperdak joins 'Varney & Co.' to break down rising concerns over declining air travel manners and explain why dressing clean, staying courteous and respecting fellow travelers matters now more than ever. A viral TikTok trend claiming to offer better sleep on airplanes is raising alarms over passenger safety . Videos show passengers pulling their feet onto their seats and securing their legs with a seat belt while trying to sleep during flights - a position that has sparked debate about comfort, etiquette and potential health risks. The trend has drawn mixed reactions across social media. Some users questioned whether the position would actually be comfortable, while others raised safety concerns. FLYING FOR CHRISTMAS? AVOID 3 TRAVEL MISTAKES THAT RUIN HOLIDAY TRIPS AND GET PEOPLE IN TROUBLE Several TikTok users said the position was not allowed by flight crews, noting that flight attendants intervened when they tried it onboard. "I tried to do this and the flight attendant made me stop," one commenter wrote. A viral TikTok trend shows passengers buckling their legs onto airplane seats to sleep, raising concerns about comfort, etiquette and safety. (iStock) Another person recalled being "yelled at by a flight attendant" after attempting the setup. Others who tested the trend said it came with drawbacks. One video creator acknowledged that while the position felt comfortable at first, her legs fell asleep. BEST SEAT TO AVOID GETTING SICK ON A PLANE Some commenters also pointed to other physical discomforts, with one joking, "My stomach could never" - referencing gas and digestive issues during flights. Medical experts warn that the trend could pose serious health risks, particularly on longer flights. Some commenters questioned the comfort of the sleep trend on planes, while experts warned it could pose health risks. (Getty Images) Carole Lieberman, M.D., a Beverly Hills-based board-certified psychiatrist with experience in providing mental health programming for airline passengers, told Fox News Digital the position may increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER "This trend is very dangerous because it keeps the legs in a tightly compressed position," Lieberman said. She warned that blood clots can have life-threatening consequences. "This trend is very dangerous because it keeps the legs in a tightly compressed position." "Deep vein thrombosis can cause pulmonary embolisms, which can be deadly," she said. Prolonged sitting during flights can increase the risk of blood clots, according to the Mayo Clinic. Measures such as wearing compression socks and moving the legs regularly can help support circulation. Prolonged sitting during flights can increase the risk of blood clots, according to the Mayo Clinic. (iStock) An etiquette expert said the practice conflicts with standard expectations of airplane etiquette. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES Jacqueline Whitmore, an etiquette expert and former flight attendant based in Florida, told Fox News Digital that placing feet on the airplane seats in front of you is generally...

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